Corporate Social Irresponsibility

Since the last Public Meeting, Oxford residents have been contacting John Lewis (the “flagship” store in the proposed Westgate expansion) to ask them to put the brakes on the disastrous Westgate plans until all of the problems - as explained in the Anti-Westgate Briefing - have been addressed. Concerned locals have also been asking John Lewis if they’d support an alternative, sustainable and people-friendly redevelopment of the site.

At first, John Lewis didn’t reply to these questions. But in the last couple of days, they’ve started emailing a response to Oxford residents. Their reply, however, has been a more than a little disappointing.

John Lewis’s email does not answer any of the substantive and detailed points raised in the Briefing. Neither does it acknowledge the growing public anger with the Westgate plans as they stand, nor the fact that Oxford residents are working on a positive, alternative proposal for the site, and trying to involve local eco-friendly architects, builders and designers. John Lewis do not state whether or not they will use their influence to freeze the development until the major problems with it are addressed, or an alternative plan is presented.

In fact, the email consists of recycled text that they already sent out to a number of Oxford residents three weeks ago - parts of it were even used as quotes in the Anti-Westgate Briefing!

This is about as far as it is possible to get from community engagement and consultation - rather than respond to the points raised by residents, John Lewis have utterly ignored everything they said and simply re-sent an old email.

Many residents have expressed a desire to work with John Lewis on this project, and find a genuinely sustainable and people-friendly way to bring one of their stores to Oxford. John Lewis won’t even send them a proper reply. This absolute failure to engage with people’s concerns and suggestions is in complete contradiction to the company’s claims to “work closely” with the communities where it operates, and act in a “socially responsible” way.

A reply has been sent to John Lewis expressing disappointment, repeating our concerns, and concluding:

“For the third time: will the John Lewis Partnership use its influence to call a halt to the current, disastrous plans and create time for more sustainable and positive alternatives to be put into place?”

If John Lewis continue to ignore the concerns of Oxford residents, then it may be time to step up the campaign a little…

(For a copy of the email from John Lewis, and the reply sent back to them, email oxfordagainstwestgate@activist.com)

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This Week’s Meetings: Spread The Word!

You are warmly invited to a 2nd PUBLIC MEETING about the proposed
Westgate ‘redevelopment’

Thursday 13th March, 7pm, Oxford Town Hall

This meeting will organise specific actions identified at the first
public meeting two weeks ago, including:
- targeting John Lewis
- petitioning the Environment Agency for a flooding risk assessment
- holding a protest
- mounting a legal challenge
- raising general awareness amongst the people of Oxford
- advocating an alternative proposal for how the area should be regenerated

Come along and get involved in ensuring a saner, more eco-friendly
future for Oxford City Centre!

There will be a PRE-MEETING PLANNING SESSION on Wednesday 12th March
(i.e. tonight!)
at OARC, upstairs in the East Oxford Community Centre, Cowley Rd, 7pm.
Everyone welcome!

For up to date info on the campaign, keep an eye on
http://westgatewatch.wordpress.com

For queries email oxfordagainstwestgate@activist.com

Organised by Oxford Against Westgate Expansion